For some, showcases like the Maui Invitational and Battle 4 Atlantis present a first chance at an opponent from another major conference. There will be little room to rest after, as the ACC-Big Ten Challenge kicks off Dec. 3.

The Seminoles dominated the No. 10-ranked VCU Rams in their first contest Thursday at the Shootout. Senior Okaro White has been the on-court leader, but the 4-0 record to this point was the result of balanced scoring, rebounding and defense from a deep rotation.

Michigan lost two of its main guys from the national runner-up team of a year ago. However, they returned versatile forward Glenn Robinson III and talented post player Mitch McGary.

The winner of this game gets the Northeastern-Charlotte victor Sunday.

The Hokies (3-1) may be outclassed when it battles the top-ranked team in the land. However, senior sharpshooter Jarell Eddie has stepped up his all-around game, and freshman point guard Devin Wilson has a knack for getting to the rim. Good performances by both could challenge the Spartans.

Michigan State has one of the more complete starting lineups in basketball, led by guards Keith Appling and Gary Harris. Both have averaged more than 15 points per game in 2013.

Seton Hall of the Big East and Oklahoma from the Big 12 round out the tournament's foursome; Virginia Tech will face one of them, win or lose, Saturday.

Maui Invitational - Minnesota vs. No. 9 Syracuse, 5:30 p.m. Monday

Syracuse (4-0) failed to crack the 60-point threshold against St. Francis (NY) at home, and needed some late-game heroics to win. The 2-3 zone looks as good as ever though, and C.J. Fair is a reliable, versatile scorer on offense.

Leading the way for the Golden Gophers will be Andre and Austin Hollins (no relation), who average 32 points per game combined.

If the Orange get past Minnesota, they would play the winner of Arkansas and California on Tuesday. The teams playing on the other side of the bracket will be No. 20 Baylor, Chaminade, Dayton and No. 13 Gonzaga.

NIT Season Tip-Off - No. 6 Duke vs. Alabama, 9:30 p.m. Wednesday

The pre-eminent opening tournament, played at Madison Square Garden in New York, has the potential for a top-10 final with the Blue Devils and the No. 5 Arizona Wildcats on Nov. 29.

Alabama is led by senior guard Trevor Releford, who averages 18 points per game and is shooting 50 percent from 3-point range. Arizona faces Drexel in the other semifinal.

Duke (4-1) fell short in a back-and-forth matchup Nov. 12 with No. 2 Kansas but had little trouble with other opponents, including NIT regional foes UNC-Asheville and East Carolina. Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood are in their first year with the team, but they have established themselves as two of the most potent scorers in the ACC.